Synthesis and Properties of the Strained Alkene Perfluorobicyclo[2.2.0]hex-1(4)-ene

The
title fluoroalkene has been generated by dehalogenation of
dibromide and diiodide precursors and trapped in situ. retro-Diels–Alder reaction of its adduct
with N-benzylpyrrole has made the alkene available
in high yield and purity. In sharp contrast to its extremely labile
hydrocarbon counterpart, the fluoroalkene is very stable yet highly
reactive. Its characterization includes its electron affinity, photoelectron
spectrum, and the previously reported structure determination by electron
diffraction.